Reflections on the 29th Economist Government Roundtable

Insights from the 29th Annual Economist Government Roundtable

Last week, our school proudly participated in the 29th Annual Economist Government Roundtable, a gathering of policymakers, academics, and thought leaders under the timely theme “The Great Transition: From Fragmentation to Coherence.” The event offered a powerful platform to address the pressing global challenges of our time, from climate change and technological disruption to the evolving ethics of human enhancement.

Tackling Climate Challenges at the Highest Level

Affiliate professor and director of the HELLENiQ ENERGY Center for Sustainability and Energy at Alba Graduate Business School, Dr. Kostas Andriosopoulos, contributed meaningfully to the panel “Combatting Climate Change: The Need to Re-evaluate Strategy.” Alongside key figures such as Alexandra Sdoukou, Aristotelis Chantavas, Sir David King, and Dimitris Chanis, and under the moderation of Andreas Papandreou and John Andrews, Professor Andriosopoulos emphasized the need to rethink and recalibrate current energy strategies.

He underscored that the energy transition must move beyond long-term aspirations and into practical, measurable, and inclusive strategies, ones that balance the growth of renewable energy sources with the continued use of conventional fuels, all while placing education at the core. “We need to educate the energy leaders of tomorrow,” he noted, stressing the urgency of fostering innovation through closer ties between industry, academia, and technology hubs.

Professor Andriosopoulos also highlighted the pioneering role of the HELLENiQ ENERGY Center for Sustainability and Energy @Alba Graduate Business School, a joint initiative between HELLENiQ ENERGY and our school. This initiative aims to bridge the gap between academic research and market needs, helping to shape a resilient, well-informed energy ecosystem through education, research, and policy development.

He further explored the often-overlooked complexities of the energy transition, from ensuring energy security and affordability to navigating geopolitical volatility, all of which demand strategic thinking and interdisciplinary expertise. Additionally, he touched on the critical importance of circular economy practices, particularly in photovoltaic (PV) panel recycling, advocating for Greece’s role in building a second-generation solar industry based on recovered materials to reduce dependence on foreign imports.
 Navigating Ethics in the Age of Human Enhancement

Adding a powerful ethical dimension to the roundtable, Professor Sophia Efstathiou, Professor of Ethics at The American College of Greece, participated in the provocative panel “The Debate on Human Enhancement and Transhumanism.” This session examined the fast-approaching reality where technology may extend, or even redefine, the physical and cognitive boundaries of human nature.

A Commitment to Global Dialogue and Leadership

Our active participation in this year’s Economist Roundtable reflects Alba’s ongoing commitment to engaging with the global community on the most critical issues of our time. From climate action and energy innovation to the ethical implications of transhumanism, our institution continues to contribute expertise, provoke meaningful dialogue, and help shape a more sustainable, ethical, and forward looking world.

We are proud to see our faculty members at the forefront of these important conversations and we look forward to continuing our contribution to thought leadership on both the national and international stage.